SIR WALTER SCOTT, DIES On this day, 21 September 1832, the literary giant and novelist Sir Walter Scott passed away, aged 61. He is notable for inventing the Historical Novel, wherein his characters met real people from history. From a unionist perspective his novels introduced an often romanticised version of Scotland to a wider British readership. He is also notable for being the "public relations" mastermind behind the visit to Edinburgh of King George IV in August 1822 when the King stepped ashore at Leith. The popularisation of the kilt as "Scotland's national dress" can be traced from this moment in Scottish social history. Waverley Station in Edinburgh is named after his novel. Indeed, "the Waverley Novels" is the title given to the series of Scott's novels released from 1814 to 1832. The series is so-called because each one was only credited to be written "by the author of Waverley", until Scott acknowledged authorship in 1827. He was born on 15 August 1771 in Edinburgh, and is buried in Dryburgh Abbey along with his wife, Lady Scott. The gothic Scott Monument sits on Edinburgh's Princes Street in his memory, and the highest column in the centre of Glasgow's George Square has Sir Walter atop. There's even a bronze replica of the marble statue which sits under the Scott Monument, in New York's Central Park. Edinburgh sculptor, John Steell, created both. Pic: AFFG 15-4-26. --- Help us promote our wonderful British history daily by keeping us going for another 3 months, until the end of the year, via our British Autumn Crowdfunder.co.uk/autumn2026